A longtime Georgia pastor and former military chaplain has been named director of chaplaincy evangelism for the Alpharetta-based North American Mission Board.

Bainbridge native Pete Sharber, 64, joined the NAMB staff Jan. 5 after serving as pastor of First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst since 1989.

Following his graduation from college, Sharber served in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam for which he was awarded the Bronze Star four times. After completing seminary, including a two-year pastorate in Texas, he returned to the Army as a chaplain for 11 years at military posts in Georgia, New York and Germany. He served as vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention from 1993 to 1994.

Sharber and his wife, Faye, an often-sought women’s conference speaker and Bible study leader, have two adult daughters. The Sharbers will live in Cumming.